3 down... 47 to go

The marathon bug has officially bit me. This past weekend I finished the Coeur d'Alene Marathon. I intentionally took this one easy because of lack of endurance training as a result of a couple injuries over the winter/spring. I had my slowest time yet for a marathon (4:22:31), though it was also probably my most enjoyable marathon. I ran with some great people and had some great conversations. In addition I didn't hit the "wall" until mile 22 (previous hit it at 20 and 18) and was able to push through it and regain some speed at mile 24 to finish strong.

As for the 47 to go... well my first Marathon was San Juan (WA). My second was Portland (OR). My third just happened to be in Idaho... see a pattern? I'm thinking about Dayton, Oh next fall. But then again, I may just run some more locally before that (Seafair in Bellevue!?!?). Before this run I had no plans to run more than the minimum to get the next State. On this run I met a 78 year old (I think... head was a bit fuzzy so age could be a bit off) lady who was running her 90th marathon (5th this year). The course was also full of "Maniac Marathoners" that had run 100's of marathons. As we would pass one (it was out and back) she would point someone out and say... oh he has run 243 marathons... oh see him, he has over 400... Definitely very inspirational.

The other reason to think I can do more is that I feel great, with little soreness (mainly hips). After my first marathon I was a lump of raw meat for about two plus weeks. My second marathon I was sore for about a week. Maybe you can train your body to do this thing!